More information about the Rhode Island International Day to End Violence Against Sex Workers can be found at the facebook event: https://www.facebook.com/events/1012865432111683/

More information about December 17 and worldwide events can be found at http://www.december17.org

Local Contact:
COYOTE RI
Bella Robinson, Executive Director
info@coyoteri.org

National Contact:
Erotic Service Providers Legal Educational and Research Project
Maxine Doogan, Communications Director
info@esplerp.org
415-265-3302

Providence, RI:  On December 17, for the first time, Rhode Island will join more than 20 other cities in the Unites States and 40 cities internationally to recognize the International Day to End Violence Against Sex Workers. Local sex workers rights group, COYOTE (Call Off Your Old Tired Ethics) RI, and other local activists, advocates and allies will gather at the Sarah Doyle Women’s Center at Brown University from 6-8 pm to recognize the everyday violence sex workers experience and to honor those who have lost their lives.

The International Day to End Violence Against Sex Workers was founded in 2003 by Annie Sprinkle because Gary Ridgway, the Green River Killer, was caught and confessed to killing over 90 sex workers.  Ridgway said that because of the social position of prostitutes, he believed he could kill as many as he wanted without getting caught and without anyone caring.  Sadly, many Seattle sex workers knew exactly who Gary Ridgway was for years but were afraid of coming forward and being arrested.

Some horrific things that happen to sex workers because they are given no respect in society. In 2009 Phillip Markoff, also known as the Craigslist killer, allegedly murdered Julissa Brisman of Boston.  Then he came to RI and tried to rob a escort.  The escort was able to dial 911 because she had “equal protection under the law” and the killer was caught quickly. Later in 2009, prostitution became criminalized in Rhode Island and local sex workers are currently fearful of turning to the police for help when they are victims of violent crimes.

In May 2010  Shannan Gilbert went missing.   Shortly after 17 bodies were found on Gilgo Beach and are believed to be victims of The Long Island Serial Killer.  December 2012, Dr Louis B Schlesinger, a professor of forensic psychology at John Jay College and serial killer expert, said  “the public should not hold its breath waiting for an arrest”.  There’s two separate incidents here, he says.  “We were searching for Shannan Gilbert and we found another set of circumstances that appear to be totally unrelated”.  On December 12, 2015, former Suffolk County  Police Chief James Burke was denied bail on a misconduct case which stymied the FBI investigation into the Gilgo Beach serial-killings for years.

In December 2015, after 5 years the FBI agrees to investigate the Gilgo Beach Murders.  We are left asking ourselves, what really happened in Gilgo Beach?  Due to criminalization and societal stigma, sex workers experience extremely high levels of violence.  At any given time there are 35 to 50 active serial killers in the US.  In 2015, there were 120 sex workers murdered.  41 of those sex workers were murdered in the US.  This year’s International Day to End Violence Against Sex Workers will include speakers and a candlelight vigil where the names of those murdered will be read.  One local name will be included this year: Rhode Islander Ashley Masi,  a 24 year old mother of 3, who was allegedly murdered by Daniel Tejeda in her Providence apartment in April 2015.

“Criminalization and stigma have created the perfect playground for bad cops and predators to continue to rob, rape and murder sex workers with impunity. That needs to stop and we’re holding this vigil to show that sex workers deserve equal protection under the law,” says Bella Robinson, Executive Director of COYOTE RI.  “It’s time to change the social perception that sex workers aren’t people who deserve to live and work with dignity in safe conditions.”

To help support sex worker rights, please make a tax deductible donation to support this historic lawsuit.  ESPLER VS GASCON

https://liberatetoemancipate.tilt.com/

More information about December 17 events can be found at the facebook event: https://www.facebook.com/events/1012865432111683/

More information about International Day to End Violence against Sex Workers and worldwide events can be found at

Website: http://www.december17.org